Dolly Parton shared a heartfelt message after the passing of her husband, Carl Dean, on March 3, 2025. The couple had been married for nearly 60 years, and his death marked the end of a long and private love story. Parton first announced the news on social media, expressing her deep sorrow and gratitude for the support she has received. In a March 6 Instagram post, she shared that she had found peace in her faith, writing, “He is in God’s arms now and I am okay with that. I will always love you.”

Following Dean’s passing, details of his funeral arrangements were revealed, with his family opting for a private ceremony attended only by immediate relatives. The desire for privacy aligns with Dean’s lifelong aversion to public attention. His quiet and reserved nature stood in contrast to Parton’s global fame, yet their relationship remained strong throughout the decades.

Parton’s sister, Stella, also took to social media to acknowledge the outpouring of love and support from fans. “On behalf of my sister Dolly, our family, and Carl’s family, we appreciate your prayers at this time,” she wrote on March 4. Dean is survived by Parton and his siblings, Sandra and Donnie, and while the family has not disclosed his cause of death, they have requested privacy as they grieve their loss.

Dolly Parton and Carl Dean’s love story began in the summer of 1964 when Parton had just arrived in Nashville. She met Dean outside the Wishy-Washy laundromat, and what started as a simple exchange quickly blossomed into a lifelong romance. Parton was 18, and Dean was 21 when they met. She recalled being surprised that, unlike most men, he looked her in the eyes while speaking, genuinely interested in who she was. Their relationship grew steadily, with Dean visiting her at her uncle’s house daily before she finally agreed to go on an official date with him.